The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is coordinating an inter-agency investigation into the reported incidents of dead fishes of various species washed ashore beaches in Accra and Axim over the Easter weekend.
The agencies include Fisheries commission, Food and Drugs Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ghana Maritime Authority, the Ghana Navy, the Marine Police and the respective Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies in the respected areas affected.
According to the Ministry, the investigations will determine the causes of the incidents and possible preventive measures for the future.
The above agencies are also collaborating to prevent an entry of fish from this incident into the markets and food chain.
In a statement, the Ministry assured the general public that it will take all necessary steps to protect the fisheries industry from the potential harmful effects of this incident.
“Further, the Ministry reiterates the advice of FDA to the general public to desist from consuming the fish, in view of the potential risk to health and safety,” the Ministry stated.
Meanwhile, it has entreated the public to inspect the freshness of the eyes and gills of fish they seek to buy, which should generally be reddish in colour.
“The washed-ashore fish typically shows signs of popped out and unclear eyes, dull colouration of gills, bloating around the abdominal areas and possible oozing of foul scented fluids,” the Ministry stated.
It also stated that the Ghana Police Service and City security officials have been alerted to arrest any persons found distributing fish from these incidents into the Ghanaian food chain.
“The Public will be updated of the outcome of this investigation,” it added.
